Apple buys some semiconductor talent.
When Apple debuted the iPad earlier this year, Steve Jobs announced that the A4 CPU was a custom job made specifically for the new tablet device. Upon closer inspection, including some pretty crafty teardowns, it was revealed that it was a custom package-on-package ARM with integrated memory and GPU.
It's now revealed by the New York Times that Apple has purchased the chip firm that many believe to be responsible for some of the A4's design – Intrinsity of Austin, Tex.
While neither Apple nor Intrinsity are commenting on the deal, analysts estimate that the deal was worth around $121 million.
Together with PA Semi, Apple has amassed a considerable amount of CPU talent – no doubt with the intention to focus more heavily on in-house development of technology that its competitors can't have.
I doubt they will be using ARM processors in their MacBooks...
Haha, so true.
And yep, smart move by Apple.
I doubt they will be using ARM processors in their MacBooks...
Also, 121 millions can't compare to 6 billions on the speculation about ARM acquisition from Apple. But obviously Apple is interested in investing further in ARM chip development.
It has less to do with AMD's CPUs, and more to do with AMD and Nvidia GPUs. Apple was using Nvidia IGPs on a lot of their systems, to give them a performance boost over Intel's graphics. This is especially important on entry level mobile systems where a discrete card adds considerable cost and power consumption.
However, Intel has blocked Nvidia from producing chipsets for their newest CPUs. But if Apple uses AMD CPUs, they gain access to both AMD's IGPs, as well as Nvidia IGPs (since Nvidia can still produce chipsets for AMD's platforms). Apple can continue to use Intel chips on other systems, where they can use discrete graphics instead of an IGP.
I mean I practically can't navigate my PC without the Magic Mouse.